Polk Jobless Rate Drops Slightly as More Jobs Added

LAKELAND | Polk County saw a dash of job growth in November as the unemployment rate fell.

By KYLE KENNEDYTHE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Polk County saw a dash of job growth in November as the unemployment rate fell.

Unemployment was at 9.0 percent last month, falling from 11.1 percent a year ago and 9.2 percent in October, according to the state's workforce agency.

Polk added 1,200 jobs from last year for a small 0.6 percent gain. The county had 1,800 more jobs than it did in October, an increase of 0.8 percent.

Florida's November jobless rate of 8.1 percent was down from 10.1 percent last year and 8.5 percent in October. It was the largest monthly drop in unemployment since October 1992.

The state had 83,300 more jobs than it did a year ago, rising 1.1 percent. Much of the job growth was concentrated in the retail, hospitality, professional services and health care industries.

The U.S. unemployment rate for November, 7.7 percent, declined from 8.7 percent the year before and 7.9 percent in October.

Meanwhile, Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in four years and the state was a national leader in job creation, continuing a trend that began two years ago.

The 0.4 percentage point decline from October’s 8.5 percent jobless rate announced Friday was an early Christmas present for Gov. Rick Scott, who took office at that time.

“For many of Florida’s families during this holiday season there could be no greater gift than a regular paycheck,” Scott said in a statement. “More people are moving here, more businesses are expanding, our home prices are recovering and more people are pursing the careers of their dreams.”

Florida added 24,500 jobs from October to November. That was the second-most nationally behind North Carolina, which added 30,600 jobs, and just ahead of Texas with 22,100.